Volunteering in Our Schools

Important Information for School Volunteers and Guests

Guidelines
for School Volunteers

The Halifax Area School District
welcomes and encourages volunteers in its schools, classrooms, and as part of athletics and extracurricular activities. For the
safety of district students and staff, and in complying with Act 15 of 2015 (formerly Act 153 of 2014),
the Halifax Area School District distinguishes between school volunteers and
school guests.

A school volunteer is “someone
who is not under the constant
supervision of the district’s paid staff.” Examples: a field trip chaperone, a dance chaperone, or an
activity provider.

A school guest is “someone who is under the constant
supervision of the district’s paid staff and can be accompanied by a staff person at all times.” Examples: a guest speaker, a vendor,
a classroom helper.

School volunteers must provide
the District with an original Act 34
Criminal History Record Check and an Act
151 Child Abuse History Clearance (obtained through the PA Department of
Education only), both of these clearances are free
for volunteers but the applicant must check
volunteer on the form.

Prospective school volunteers who
have not lived in Pennsylvania continuously for the past ten (10) years must
also provide an Act 114 FBI Criminal History Clearance obtained at the
prospective volunteer’s expense. Those
prospective volunteers who have lived in Pennsylvania continuously for the past
ten (10) years may sign a Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers and, therefore, would not be required to obtain the FBI Clearance.

Clearances must be renewed every
60 months (5 years). All necessary paperwork can be found in the 'Employment Requirement' section of the district's website.

Submit all clearances to the
appropriate building principal.

Thank you for your interest in
volunteering for the Halifax Area School District!